Interlocking Panel Garment and Methods of Producing the Same

ABSTRACT

A garment including a plurality of panel units each panel unit having at least one hole positioned near the periphery of each panel unit, a connection unit that engages a hole on a first panel unit and a second connection unit that engages a hole on a second engagement unit where the distance between adjacent panel units is determined based on the distance of each hole from the each of each panel unit and a diameter of each connection unit.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present disclosure is a Non-Provisional patent application claiming the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/350,979 filed on Jun. 16, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fashion is a very important aspect of many lives. Forming new and innovative patterns and designs is the cornerstone of the fashion industry. Garments manufactured are made of fabric or leather sheets that are sown together to make an specific article of clothing. Graphic are typically printed on the sheets to add ornamental design to the fabric.

As fashion evolves, consumers desire more and more integral designs and textures that are not available using conventional fabrics and printing techniques cannot provide. Therefore, a need exists for a garment that incorporates geometric designs into the manufacture of the garment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a garment including a plurality of panel units each panel unit having at least one hole positioned near the periphery of each panel unit, and a connection unit that engages a hole on a first panel unit and a second connection unit that engages a hole on a second engagement unit, where the distance between adjacent panel units is determined based on the distance of each hole from the each of each panel unit and a diameter of each connection unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 depicts a flexible panel based garment;

FIG. 2 depicts two panel units being connected by connection units;

FIG. 3 depicts multiple panel units connected together using multiple connection units;

FIG. 4 depicts multiple panel units connected together by connection units;

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of an arrow shaped panel unit;

FIG. 6 depicts a schematic representation of a process used to manufacture a panel based garment;

FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of a connection unit; and

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a garment made from the panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a flexible panel based garment. The panel based garment 100 includes a plurality of panel units 102 with each panel unit 102 being connected to an adjacent panel unit 102 by a connection unit 104. Each panel unit 102 may be made of a rigid material including plastic, metal, leather, vinyl or any other rigid material. The connection units 104 may be made of any material capable of connecting the panel units 102 including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or any other material. In one embodiment, the connection units 104 are ring shaped having an inner diameter and outer diameter.

The panels 102 include a front and back surface that allow the garment to be reversed. In one embodiment, each surface of each panel unit 102 has a different color or design such that the garment has a different look when one panel unit 102 is on the outside of the garment. In reversing the garment, the panel units 102 rotate about the connection units 104 such that a previously forward facing side of the panel unit 102 is positioned to face inside and the opposite side of the panel unit 102 is positioned to face outward. In another embodiment, the connection units 104 may be removable such that the garment can be reconfigured into different arrangements.

FIG. 2 depicts two panel units 102 being connected by connection units 104. Each panel unit 102 includes a plurality of holes 202 that are configured to engage a connection unit 104 such that the connection unit 104 extends through the hole 202. Holes 202 are positioned along the periphery of the panel unit 102 at a predetermined distance from the edges of the panel unit 102. In one embodiment, each panel unit 102 has an arrow shape with a pointed end 204 and an open end 206. The open end 206 of each panel unit 102 is sized to accommodate the pointed end 204 of an adjacent panel unit 102. The holes 202 on each panel unit 102 are positioned such that a single connection unit 104 or multiple connection units 104 can be used to connect adjacent panel unit 102. To connect adjacent panel units 102, a connection unit 104 is passed through a hole 202 on a first panel unit 102 and then through a corresponding hole 202 on a second panel unit 102.

The space between adjacent panel units 102 is determined based on the diameter of the connection units 104 and the distance of each hole 202 from the edge of the panel unit 102. Moving the hole 202 further away from the edge of a panel unit 202 along with using smaller diameter connection unit 104 lessens the distance between adjacent panel units 102. Moving the hole 202 closer to the edge of each panel unit 102 increases the distance between panel units 102 as does increasing the diameter of the connection units 104. In one embodiment, the distance between panel units 102 is uniform across all panel units. In another embodiment, the distance between panel units 102 varies.

FIG. 3 depicts multiple panel units 102 connected together using multiple connection units 104. Each panel unit 102 is arranged such that holes 202 on the panel units 102 are aligned. A first connection unit 104 engages a hole 202 on a first panel unit 102 and a second connection unit 104 engages a hole 202 on a second panel unit 102. In one embodiment, each connection unit 104 includes a slot (not shown) which allows the connection unit 104 to be partially separated to allow the connection unit 104 to engage with another connection unit 104 and the hole 202.

FIG. 4 depicts multiple panel units 102 connected together by connection units 104. Each panel unit 102 is positioned in relation to an adjacent panel unit 102 such that the holes 202 on each panel unit 102 align. The pointed ends 204 of two adjacent panel units 102 may be aligned such that holes 202 near the pointed ends 204 of each panel unit 102 are aligned. Connection units 104 may engage the holes 202 in the pointed ends to connect the panel units 102 at the pointed ends 204. By positioning the panel units 102 in different orientations relative to adjacent panel units 102, unique designs are created.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of an arrow shaped panel unit 102. The panel 102 includes edges 502, 504, 506, 508, 510 and 512. Open end 206 is formed by the intersection of edges 502 and 504 at angle x. Angle x may be any angle less than 180 degrees. Edge 506 extends from an end of edge 504 at an angle y. Edges 508 and 510 for the pointed end 206 by ending off edges 506 and 512 respectively. Ends of edges 508 and 510 intersect to form angle z. By adjusting the angles x, y and z, the size and shape of the panel units 102 are modified such that different designs, patterns and sizes are created. In one embodiment, all panel units 102 are the same size. In another embodiment, the panel unit 102 sizes are different.

FIG. 6 depicts a schematic representation of a process used to manufacture a panel based garment. In step 602, a plurality of panel units 102 are formed from a rigid material, such as leather. The panel units 102 may be formed in one or more shapes including, but not limited to, arrow shape, diamond shape, block shape, rectangular shape or any other shape. In step 604, holes 202 are formed near the edges of each panel unit 102. The holes 202 are positioned such that the panel unit 102 will align in a predetermined geometric pattern when the garment is assembled. The distance of each hole 202 the closest or corner edge may be uniform across the panel. In another embodiment, the distance of each hole 202 from the closest edge or corner may vary with each hole 202. In step 606, connection units 104 are positioned in each of the holes 202 such that the connection units 104 extend through the holes 202.

In step 608, the panel units 102 are positioned relative to one another to form a geometric pattern. The positioning of the panel units includes determining the distance between each panel unit 102 and sizing the connection unit 104 to generate the desired distance. In step 610, adjacent connection units 104 are connected to secure the panel units 102 together. The connection units 104 can interconnect using any method including forming a slit through one edge of the connection unit 104 to allow the connection unit 104 open and close. The slit formed in the connection unit 104 would be large enough to allow a portion of a second connection unit 104 to pass through the slit to engage the first connection unit 104.

FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of a connection unit 700. The connection unit 700 includes a first securing region 702, a middle region 706 and second connection region 704. The first connection region 702 and second connection region 704 are sized to accommodate a portion of a panel (not shown). When installed, the first connection region 702 and second connection region 704 bend along the middle region 706 to bring each end of the first connection region 702 and second connection region 704 together.

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a garment made from the panels 102 and connection units 104 or 700. Each panel 102 is arranged to engage with the 202 on another panel 102. Further, multiple strings of panels 102 can be affixed to one another via the holes 202.

By forming a garment by connecting individual panel units 102 a free flowing and flexible garment is created. The interconnecting of geometric shapes allows for each panel to securely interlock. Further, by selecting different size connection units 104, the distance between each panel unit 102 different designs be created using the same panel unit 102 shapes.

In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 

1. A garment including: a plurality of panel units each panel unit having at least one hole positioned near the periphery of each panel unit; a connection unit that engages a hole on a first panel unit and a second connection unit that engages a hole on a second engagement unit, wherein the distance between adjacent panel units is determined based on the distance of each hole from the each of each panel unit and a diameter of each connection unit. 